[HCRA] [Fwd: Monthly Western Massachusetts Section News Summary]

[Steve Rodowicz]

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Monthly Western Massachusetts Section News Summary
Date: Fri, 15 Jul 2005 20:30:29 -0400
From: ARRL Web site <memberlist at www.arrl.org>

WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS: SM: William C. Voedisch,
W1UD, w1ud at juno.com - ASM N1VRC, KD1SM (digital)
STM: WB1CHU, SEC: K1VSG, OOC: N1FI- Field Day
morning I started from Leominster and drove
west on Rt.2 headed towards Granby. After an
hour and a half I reached the FD site of the
HCRA. I was greeted like a long lost brother and
taken on tour of the grounds. A very impressive
setup. If you remember, the temperature that
morning was getting very close to 90 degrees. I
headed back towards Spencer, the athletic field
of David Prowdy High School was the site of the
CMARA exercise. Having had a three element
cubical quad for many years and knew what kind
of time was required to assemble and tune one, I
was very impressed with their 2 element Gem
configuration. There was an Icom 765 attached to
the quad and I had a chance to listen to 14 Mhz.
It brought back old memories and the yearning to
put my quad back up. Many years ago, I had the
opportunity to talk to Clarence Moore, the patent
holder for the quad antenna. Following his
instructions and dimensions, I built my first
using bamboo poles procured from a furniture
store that sold rugs. They used the bamboo poles
to wrap rugs around in those days. It didn't last
too long in the harsh New England climate but
while it did I could work stations first in and
last out when the propagation died. Much better
antenna than my TH6DXX. By now the temperature
had got above 90 degrees and it was starting to
effect me. Stopped for a sandwich in Worcester
and had the intent to go to the EOC but couldn't
remember the directions that were given to me by
the CMARA group in Spencer. Oh well, I blamed the
heat or was it a 'senior moment'. From there I
headed to Mt. Wachuset to visit the MARA group
that was operating from the summit. I should have
checked the water in my truck because when I
reached the summit it was steaming like an old
Stanley Steamer automobile. Made a cooks tour of
their setup and chatted with the crew. Picked up
a quart of water and filled the radiator of the
truck and headed home. I still can't figure out
why the truck boiled over because it has never
done that before or since. Maybe 'Murphy' has
found a home under the hood of my Ranger for that
afternoon. Later Saturday night, after my sked on
1Rn and EAN, I went on 40 meters CW and gave out
about 400 points. It certainly is better operating
from your own air conditioned shack.
    I received messages from each of the groups that
were in the field on FD. In fact, I received traffic
from groups that I never knew were planning to
operate in Western Mass. Many thanks for keeping me
informed. You earned the points so be sure and take
them.
    Bob McCormick, W1QA, of WWLP in Springfield informed
me that a group in the area is planning to start a new
club. It is in its infancy at this time but Bob tells
me that he has secured permission from Mrs. Art
Zavarella and Arthur's son to use his call sign. It
will be the W1KK Wireless Association. The repeater
on Provin Mountain is now signing W1KK. They could
not have chosen a better ham to honor than Art. He
was a good friend of mine and I miss him. Eventually
there will be a web page, W1KK.com.

    NOBARC will be having their hamfest on the 21st of
August. Contact Alan, K1SAV, for additional information
or look on their web page. Use 'Google' to find it.

    For the wallpaper hunters in the area, Sandia
National Laboratories ARC (W5MPZ) will be operating
from the Trinity Site of the first atomic bomb test.
SSS: 14.330, CW: 14.260 and 7.040 (QRP) on Saturday
July 16th. A #10 envelope with return postage to
Sandia National Laboratories ARC, Attn: Brian
Milishosky, 1021 Dakota SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108
will bring you the special event certificate.

    Carol Welch, N1SKM, it to be commended on her PR
report of the activities of the Worcester Emergency
Communications Team. It made the Worcester Telegram
and was highly descriptive of the equipment used and
the purpose of FD. Well done Carol! Most of the time
when a reporter covers a ham event they get everything
mix up.

    Drop me a line during the summer and tell me what
you've been doing. News gets difficult to find and
any amount will be appreciated.

    How many of you are digitally equipped? The reason
I ask is that is, in or after a wide spread emergency
there will be many inquiries from across the nation
regarding the welfare of people in this area. Sending
health and welfare traffic over voice circuits would
be overwhelming. A couple of stations equipped with a
TNC using Pactor I,II or III could handle this traffic
with no problem. I would like to know. Maybe we
could try an on air contact and pass a drill message.
That way we would know if our equipment is compatible
and discuss the best software to use for record
traffic transfer. I am using a software program that
was written by PA0NC for my SCS PTC II TNC. It is the
best I have found for traffic handling. Drop me an
E-mail at w1ud at juno.com. Stay safe and drive carefully.
Until next month, 73 Bill


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ARRL Western Massachusetts Section
Section Manager: William C. Voedisch, W1UD
w1ud at arrl.org
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